NorcalBassin

Whoa... that's crazy considering how "filling" Guinness is. Guinness is about all I drink and I pretty much limit it to Fight Nights (UFC) and family BBQ's. Pretty much always stop at #2.

Never broke a rod or anything, but man did I let loose in my head with a cursing tirade when I lost what would have been my first DD right by the boat. Fortunately nobody else heard it.

Spent 4 months in Soldotna (Kenai Peninsula) in 2000. There are some huge rainbows in the Kenai river, not to mention all the big kings (you'll miss the reds though). Should be an awesome trip. Here's a little halibut I picked up in between Homer and Deep Creek.

My personal favorite in an 893 NRX with a Chronarch 50e. Fishes like a dream.

I'm comfortable throwing a grub on a 1/8 oz darterhead with a BC but always throw a 1/16 or 1/32 jighead with spinning gear. Just seems a lot "easier" for me when going light.

Congratulations! Thanks for taking us along on your journey and for your service to our country. Losing 37 lbs has to feel like an awesome "side effect" while getting that running time down.

Congrats on the sweet rod... your 3rd shot at a DD will be a charm. You've learned your lesson and now it's Go Time!

3

Should be great. Watermelon red flake anything. Perfect time at that lake (and all foothill lakes).

Crankbaits and other treble hook lures.

The only Shimano rod I ever broke cost me $10 shipping from my local tackle shop so they could send it back. Bets warranty in the business as far as I'm concerned.

The slack line sensitivity almost startled me the first time I used FC... couldn't believe it translated a tap that I definitely wouldn't have felt otherwise. I really like Yo Zuri for an all around line but prefer FC for jigs and throwing Senkos on a semi slack line.

I use 1/8 oz darterheads, let them fall to the bottom (if they make it that far!), drag/bounce them a couple times, and then slowly reel them in. They are great baits out in CA's gin clear reservoirs. Hands down best grub for me has been Yamamoto, but I am hoping to give the Rage's a chance at some point.

Goodness gracious... you definitely da man!

Numbers may be down but those are some pigs that more than make up for it. Congrats!

Just set your drag really loose and don't swing 'em into the boat. It will be great for your mind and body to get back out there and do something you enjoy. Just be sure not to overdo it!

I'd like to see someone that knows what they're doing (not me) test the 3 bait vs 3 bait w/2 blades, vs 5 baits w/2 dummy hooks using the same baits. I've used a 3-rig and a 3/2 blade combo and the combo seems to get a little more action. Haven't tried the 5/2 dummy rig yet, and this is a tough time of year for me to try things out when other "proven" methods have been a lot more productive for me than the Cali-Bama rigs. So far my success rate has been pretty low with these rigs.

Not an "oldy" by any means, but my all time favorite is the NRX893. Like it so much I had to get one in blue and green.

I couldn't resist the deals and picked up a 7'11"MHXF... they definitely must be coming out with a new addition for the prices to be dropped like this on multiple sites.

Just be careful not to OVERcrank your reel down tight.

That's great... she should have had them autograph it.

Just as everyone else has said, great reel. Mine has been a workhorse and never let me down.

Nice job! Nothing beats a personal best.

If you're still clogged in the morning drink a 20 oz Starbucks brewed coffee... stuff cleans me out every time. We refer to it as "mass activation."

Interesting topic... mine just sways based on what I "need" at the time and how much recent OT I've worked (that's my spending money). I've had times where I drew the line at a Lightning Rod, Mojo, Lamiglas Excel, and Veritas, and then I've had other times that I've bought NRX's, GLX's, Legend Elites, and Dobyns DX's. Now that my collection is just about complete, I do wish I had a rewind button where I could have made myself a little more patient and just waited until I could get the rod I wanted as opposed to what I could afford and be satisfied with at the moment. Do I need NRX's to catch fish... no ... but man they sure are nice to fish with. As far as the guys doing well with entry level equipment... I will always admire that but I cannot explain how much nicer it is throwing a Ci4 for hours on end instead of an FX or Sienna level reel like I used to use.